On August 7, the polyester staple fiber market presented a striking contrast: water-treatment fiber balls (30-50mm) from Henan Kaijie were uniformly quoted at 15,500 CNY/ton, while cotton-type polyester staple (1.56dtex*38mm, melt-blown) from Jiangsu Huahong stood at 7,250 CNY/ton. The price gap reached 8,250 CNY/ton, equivalent to 1.14 times the price of cotton-type staple. This extreme divergence is not accidental but reflects the distinct supply-demand dynamics across different segments of the industrial chain.
Background
According to public quotes, Henan Kaijie Water Treatment Co., Ltd. listed fiber balls (ordinary grade) in three specifications—50mm, 40mm, and 30mm diameter—all at 15,500 CNY/ton, with delivery in Zhengzhou, Henan. These fiber balls are primarily used as filter media in water treatment, an industrial textile application, and their prices have historically been higher than textile-grade staple. Concurrently, Hebei Chujiao Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. offered Huahong-brand polyester staple, grade 1.56dtex*38mm, melt-blown cotton-type, delivered in Wuxi, Jiangsu, at 7,250 CNY/ton.
Notably, although fiber balls and cotton-type staple are both polyester-based, they differ significantly in production processes, applications, and downstream clients. Fiber balls are typically made from hollow or solid polyester filaments through heat-setting and crimping, emphasizing filtration efficiency and mechanical strength; cotton-type staple focuses on textile processing performance such as spinnability and dyeing uniformity. Therefore, a price gap has long existed, but the 8,250 CNY/ton difference exceeds normal levels, suggesting stronger demand rigidity in water treatment and greater price pressure in textiles.
Industry Impact
For textile enterprises, the 7,250 CNY/ton quote for cotton-type polyester staple is at a low level in recent years. The melt-blown process implies direct cost transmission from raw materials PTA and MEG. The current price reflects both weak upstream raw material conditions and cautious purchasing by spinning mills. For factories producing polyester-cotton blended yarns, this quote offers a temporary cost advantage, but they should be wary of potential raw material rebounds or supply contractions.
The high price of water-treatment fiber balls highlights the profit appeal of nonwoven/industrial applications. At 15,500 CNY/ton, far above ordinary polyester staple, it attracts some capacity toward industrial textiles. However, the market for fiber balls is limited and demands stringent product performance, making it difficult for polyester staple producers to shift significant volumes in the short term. For traders, the widening gap increases arbitrage opportunities, but cross-category operations require professional distribution channels and customer resources.
Geographically, the delivery points in Zhengzhou, Henan, and Wuxi, Jiangsu, also reflect industry clusters: Henan specializes in water-treatment materials, while Wuxi is a traditional textile hub. Buyers must compare not only prices but also logistics costs and lead times. Current quotes are ex-works including tax; actual transactions may vary based on volume and payment terms, so negotiation is advised.